By John SailerTuesday, May 08, 2012 11:30 AMNEW ORLEANS – In anticipation of health care reform legislation getting closer to full implementation, the National Association of Specialty Health Organizations and the National Association of Vision Care Plans held their first joint meeting here at the historic Roosevelt New Orleans: A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, April 30-May 2.

U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La.) was among the guest speakers who discussed the problems with health care today and the impact that reform will have on specialty health plans. Combining presentations regarding health care reform in general and sessions related to specialty health care and vision care insurance plans specifically, the three-day event hosted approximately 150 attendees, the largest number ever registered by either organization’s previous events. Sponsors included Carl Zeiss Vision, Acuvue, VSP Global, Essilor, Block Vision, Davis Vision, PFO Global and Advantica.

The following slideshow provides a sampling of the presentations made and executives in attendance at the event. Please scroll over the selected image for photo captions.